ALL NOVEL Chapter 50: innocence and passion
Chapter 50 innocence
and passion.
Menma fixed his gaze directly on Kakashi. "I still
think we should give up the mission, Kakashi-sensei. This isn't just about the
rules that ninjas should follow, but also about our own responsibility. We
don't know what dangers lie ahead. We've already encountered two Mist Ninjas.
Given that Gato controls the economy of an entire country, it's possible he
could hire Jonin from the Hidden Mist Village. Maybe you can handle one Jonin,
Kakashi-sensei, but what if there are more? We can't gamble our entire team's
safety on such uncertain factors."
Before Kakashi could respond, Menma continued with a
serious expression. Originally, Menma's initial words were merely a judgment of
personal attitude. Whether they ultimately gave up or continued the mission
didn't matter much to him. With Kakashi present, encountering Zabuza and Haku
would be an invaluable experience. However, after hearing Naruto and Sakura's
insistence, Menma felt compelled to make his position clear.
Menma completely changed his mind. He couldn't stand this
kind of "saintly" and confused behavior, so he had to stop Kakashi
from agreeing to continue the mission.
Menma didn't know whether Kakashi in the original story was
genuinely full of sympathy, believed he could handle everything, or saw this
mission as a special test for Naruto, Sasuke, and the others. Or perhaps
Kakashi simply wasn't thinking clearly at the time. But in this life, Menma
believed that by laying out all the facts, he could likely dissuade Kakashi
from continuing the mission.
In his earlier words, Menma hinted to Kakashi that he
wasn't carrying out this mission alone but with a team of rookies, rookies with
very special identities. One Jonin, Kakashi could handle. He could suppress or
even kill most Jonin. But what if there were two? What about three? Could
Kakashi still handle it with ease? Could he still protect the four rookies of
Team 7?
It didn't matter if Haruno Sakura was at risk, but what if
one of the other three died?
As expected, Kakashi began to reconsider.
Menma's words made Tazuna 's face change. Kakashi's
expression also grew serious. Regardless of what happened in the original
story, Menma had laid out the situation clearly. Kakashi had to consider all
the factors involved.
As someone trusted by the Third Hokage to lead Team 7, the
burden on Kakashi was heavier than it appeared. He fell into silence,
contemplating the situation.
Seeing this, Naruto's face became anxious, and the way
Sakura looked at Menma turned subtly disapproving.
"Menma, how can you say that!? Ninjas shouldn't be
afraid of difficulties and dangers. When we see people in trouble, shouldn't we
help them? Are you that kind of person? Menma, I misjudged you!" Naruto
shouted angrily at Menma.
"I also think it's not right to abandon the mission.
Menma-kun, Tazuna -san, and the people of the Land of Waves are struggling and
in danger. We should help them," Sakura added, not as directly as Naruto
but clearly expressing her dissatisfaction with Menma.
In Haruno Sakura's eyes, Menma's attitude and behavior were
excessive.
"Should? Shouldn't? Naruto, Sakura, do you understand
what you're saying?" Menma responded with a slightly cold expression.
"Do you think you have to help every person in
trouble, Naruto? Sakura? In the entire ninja world, there are countless small
countries and villages where people die every day. Can you help them all?
Ninjas shouldn't be afraid of difficulties and hardships, but it depends on the
situation. If you don't consider the risks and just charge ahead, that's what a
fool would do!" Menma's tone grew very cold.
"I don't know what you're thinking, Naruto, but I have
to consider myself and you. To me, the safety of my companions is far more
important than anyone else. I can't gamble our lives recklessly. You may be
confident in your strength and unafraid of sacrifice, but do you want to see
your companions die in battle for a so-called just cause? If we continue this
mission, Sakura might die in front of you. What will you do then? Will you
regret it? Or do you think you're strong enough to protect everyone? Even Kakashi-sensei
wouldn't claim that!"
"And you, Sakura, I'm not saying this to be harsh, but
do you understand your own strength? Could you handle a stronger enemy, like
the attacker we just faced? Have you considered the possibility of your own
death? We're only 12 years old, and we've just graduated. Do you want your
parents to receive news of your death so soon?"
As Menma spoke, his tone became increasingly urgent and
severe. His words were partially exaggerated, but his anger at Naruto and
Sakura's inability to see the situation clearly was genuine. This was almost a
direct rebuke to Naruto and Sakura. As they listened, their expressions
gradually changed, and they fell silent. Kakashi, on the other side, looked at
Menma deeply. Sasuke, too, seemed to want to understand Menma better, a strange
light flashing in his eyes.
Tazuna , who had previously looked at Menma with some
resentment, was silent at this moment. From his standpoint, Tazuna had reason to hate and envy Menma. From a
purely personal perspective, if Menma hadn't spoken up, Team 7 would likely
continue to protect him, and his bridge-building mission could be completed
successfully. But Menma's words were undeniably correct. What reason did they
have to risk their lives for his mission? The reward for a mere C-rank mission
and the so-called justice? Tazuna was not
naive. He had seen the darkness and cruelty of the world over his decades of
life. He still remembered how his son-in-law had died.
'Maybe this is fate...' Tazuna thought silently. He believed everything was
about to come to an inevitable conclusion.
"Maybe you are right, Menma. I really can't help
everyone, but my ninja way is to do what I say. I can't consider things that
are too far and too complicated. I can only see what is in front of me. I am
not qualified to ask you, but even if I am alone, I will continue to protect
Tazuna -san!" Naruto, who had lowered his head earlier, suddenly raised
it. His blue eyes shone with determination as he spoke firmly.